Coconut oil has been used in tropical cultures for several thousand years. Coconut oils fats and nutrients make it one of the best health changes that can be easily and inexpensively made in modern times. Prior to World War 2, coconut oil was a common food staple used in many baking and cooking items. Use of coconut oil declined during the war and then further declined after an incorrect fear that the fatty chains in coconut oil were unhealthy. Thus, coconut oil was replaced by other vegetable oils such as soy and corn. Part of the reason for this change is because it was once believed that coconut oil had high saturated fat content.

In fact, Raymond Peat, Ph.D. (coconutoil.com), explains that coconut oil fats differ greatly from unhealthy fats and unsaturated fats. This is because it has a different fat molecule structure than unhealthy fats. Most consumable fats are long-chain fatty acids, but coconut oil actually has medium-chain fatty acids. The human body breaks down fats based on the size of the fatty acid chain. The healthy benefits of coconut oil are derived from the medium-chain fatty acids, which does not negatively impact cholesterol levels and thus lowers the risks associated with heart disease.

There is a difference in the type of coconut oil one purchases. Hydrogenated coconut oil is unhealthy because hydrogenation changes the fatty acid structure of coconut oils fats. The best coconut oil benefits come from virgin coconut oil, which has not been altered from its natural state. For the following health benefits of coconut oil, please remember that this is talking only about virgin coconut oil, which is slightly more expensive that hydrogenated coconut oil but yields much greater benefits.

Further healthy benefits of coconut oil are discusses as it related to disease prevention, weight loss, and skin and hair health in the following.

Disease Prevention Benefits of Coconut OilThe fatty acids found in coconut oil fats are called a lauric acid. This type of acid, when consumed, metabolizes in the body to become a monolaurin. This substance is found in the colostrums of breast milk which has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Monolaurin prevents the growth of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Thus, coconut oil benefits have a strong possibility of acting as a natural antiviral and antibacterial food substance, especially as it impacts and destroys lipid viruses like the influenza. In traditional tropical cultures, coconut oil is used to treat nearly any viral and bacterial malady, from an abscessed tooth to gonorrhea and ulcers. This special way the body metabolizes coconut oil makes it one of the healthiest natural food substances on earth.

Jon J. Kabara, PhD., wrote a very enlightening paper titled Health Oils from the Tree Of Life, which can be found at coconutoil.com. In this research paper, Dr. Kabara explained that the research points to coconut oils fats as having anti-carcinogen properties because of the saturated lipids that make up the medium-chain fatty acid. This means that substituting coconut oil for an unsaturated vegetable oils and margarine (coconut oil butter can be used instead!) can help prevent colon cancer. The same health benefits of coconut oil can be used to reduce enlarged prostates and painful ulcers.

Weight Loss Benefits of Coconut Oil

For weight loss, the health benefits of coconut oil are not only derived from its saturated lipids and medium-chain fatty acids, but also because it stimulates the thyroid glands. The thyroid glands are what release hormones responsible for metabolism. Many overweight Americans suffer from low thyroid metabolism largely due to a diet of unsaturated fats.

According to Lita Lee, Ph.D. (coconutoil.com) tropical islanders have had a long tradition of using coconut oil, flesh, and milk as the main staple of their diets with no negative side effects such as high cholesterol or weight gain. Dr. Lee explains that coconut oil benefits weight loss because when the thyroid glands are stimulated by orally ingesting coconut oil, LDL-cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) is “converted by enzymatic processes to the vitally necessary anti-aging steroids, pregnenolone, progesterone and DHEA.” The coconut oil, when used in place of unsaturated fats, reduces bad cholesterol by stimulating the thyroid gland. In turn, this changes bad cholesterol into healthy body steroids that are used to promote a strong and virile body. Please do not confuse this with prescription steroids as this is more relative to the manner in which the body converts the “bad” into the “good” via a natural process.

Skin and Hair Benefits of Coconut OilThere are many reasons why coconut oil benefits the health of skin, especially when it is directly applied. The first of these health benefits of coconut oil is that coconut oil behaves as an antioxidant in the body, which means that it stops the dangerous free radicals in the skin that cause cancer and other maladies.

Secondly, the medium-chain fatty acids are easily absorbed into the skin which allows the skin cells to retain more water (water is stored in fat in the body) and thus increases elasticity and strength. Thirdly, for the elderly who suffer from liver spots, and even the young who suffer from psoriasis, coconut oil’s naturally occurring lipids (fats) prevents skin conditions by lessening the effects of oxidation which causes liver spots. It also helps remove the outer layers of plaque that cause the painful irritation of psoriasis.

The benefits of coconut oil also extend to the hair. Coconut oil’s lauric acid is absorbed easily by hair proteins. Since coconut oil is a medium-chain fatty acid, coconut oil is a linear chain with low molecular weight it is able to go directly to the hair shaft and prevent protein loss. Hair protein loss causes weak hair follicles, hair breakage, split ends and possibly baldness. Thus, using coconut oil as a pre-wash by applying it directly to the hair can drastically improve the hair proteins, creating strong and shiny hair.

Over the counter shampoos and lotions that profess they have coconut oil as an additive may or may not have the same impact. This is because most manufactured shampoos and lotions use hydrogenated coconut oil rather than virgin coconut oil. It is recommended to simply purchase pure virgin coconut oil and use it directly on the skin and hair.

The health benefits of coconut oil in cooking, baking and as a topical application are largely due to its unique fatty acid chain and how the body reacts to coconut oil. Replacing polyunsaturated cooking oils like soy and corn oils with coconut oil can have a noticeable and direct impact on health. Coconut oil can be used in nearly any cooking, baking, or even frying method. In fact some Chinese recipes use coconut oil to deep-fry. Taking coconut oil orally can help with viral, bacterial, fungal and yeast infections. This is because coconut oil has many of the same components as found in breast milk, particularly as an antiviral and antibacterial. Coconut oil applied directly to the skin and hair can improve beauty, health, and elasticity. It is also renowned for its healing properties, again largely due to the unique medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil and the way it is used by the body. The best news about the healthy benefits of coconut oil is that there are no recorded medical side effects that have not been debunked.

Always Consult Your Physician FirstAlthough it is helpful to get health information by reading and talking with friends, make sure you consult your doctor first before trying any new treatment or changing your diet. Remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate the strength, purity or safety of herbs and supplements. Be sure to always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, speak with your doctor before taking medical action or changing your health routine. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. LifeScript disclaims any liability for the decisions made by its readers based on the information provided.

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